Going under the knife

[BlueDevil]

Ahhhh the day is finally here. After breaking the collar bone last December, its finally time to get it plated. Ill be getting it all put back together at 4pm today. Then vacation for a week. :D

I had a "Lets wait and see" Doctor and then the season had started and it was to late. I wasnt willing to sit out the season or most of it. Now that the season is over, and I have a short time before snowboarding season hits full swing....time to get it all fixed up.

Dr. tells me, sling for a week and they will have me moving it at 915am tomorrow. I cant believe that. Anyone else have a plated collar bone? After breaking it and sitting in a sling for 10 weeks, I pretty much know what to expect. Plus the percocett will help as well Im sure. :P

From those of you that have it done already. What can I expect? How long till U started getting into the swing of things again? How long the pain last? The Dr. makes it sound like it wont be to bad and its a pretty simple recovery. No lifting for several weeks and a sling for a week......yada yada...

Damn Im hungry. No food after midnight and I dont have surgery till 4 pm..... Gonna be a long day. They better have some nice Oreo ice cream waiting for me in recovery. Thats all I have to say...haha Anyway, Ill be on my couch for a week so post up some good things to read while Im out of commish will ya.

D

[RSVR4aCowboy]

Good luck Dion.

[BATMAN]

Good luck buddy. Give me a call if you need anything. Maybe I can bring over some strippers for ya. Just don't tell Jen ;)

[BlueDevil]

Thanks Mike.

Ill be home all week so hit me up anytime.

BTW Jen wont care. 8)

[Deuce]

Thanks Mike.

Ill be home all week so hit me up anytime.

BTW Jen wont care. 8)


Hey man get better quick. Oh and the stripppers i'll bring she'll mind. :lol:


Deuce

[Devil954]

Good luck Dion .

[FZRguy]

I had the same surgery on Sept 10. I thought I’d be riding on the street in a month but no way. Mine was broken into four pieces tho and progress has been very slow. The first week sucked for me and I’m still hurting going on four weeks post-op. I think it’s the incision that’s been bothering me the most. Only ‘bout six inches but they really have to peel back the skin and soft tissue to work on you. I have three more weeks of collarbone hell before my doc wants me to start any serious rehab. I’ve had five knee operations and have never been so jacked up for so long. Hope your recovery goes faster than mine.

[BlueDevil]

ok im out of surgery. Didnt turn out as well as planned. throat seized closed and i stopped breathing. Had to stay overnight. Home now and morphine has now worn off. ugggg Percocette is good but only for an hour or so. Anyway. Looks like i get 4 weeks in the sling now instead of 1. really pissed off at my dr. over that one. Here are some pics. ill write more after i can type with more thsn 2 left hand fingers.

arrive in pre op

[BlueDevil]

ready to go

[RSVR4aCowboy]

Glad you are out of the hospital and back home! I've been under the knife so many times I forget how close to death they take you. If you need anything, let me know.

[BlueDevil]

all done

[BlueDevil]

dont know who is getting special treatment here.... :lol:

[BlueDevil]

thanks Mike.......

[haywood jablome]

I fell ya bro!!! Got me a 10" plate and 8 screws back in Feb... Still feelin it... Good luck. Oh yeah and if you have problems with your bone healing back togather tell them you want to get an Exogen machine.. THat thing was a life saver.

[BlueDevil]

got one being deliverd in a day or 2....... hope it works.

[haywood jablome]

i sware by it!!!! Had no bone groath in 2 months was on this thing for 3 weeks and had almost 30% works awesome!!!!

Kinda hard to keep it in position though. I used Tape and Ace bandage seamed to work perty well...

[BATMAN]

Hey, buddy. Lookin good there. You are definitelly the best lookin person on the couch. Hey, PM me your address so I can get the strippers this weekend ;) Seriously though, PM it to me and I will come over this weekend if your up to it.

[Bertha]

hehe Hope everything goes well!!! But I do hope it will slow you down for next year... ya know... give me a chance to pass you... :P

[FZRguy]

Welcome to collarbone hell bro. You’d think a bone that we don’t even need wouldn’t cause this much trouble. While ya got nothin’ to do but heal, here’s an interesting site put up by a dude that’s broken both his collarbones.

http://www.jpy.com/john/clavicle/

Chad, I understand now why you’re not even considering getting the plate out. My doc says that it’s common for the plate to be bothersome and many have it removed. But it jacks you up all over again. Not planning on getting mine out.

[FZRguy]

What exactly is this Exogen thing? I keep forgetting to mention it to my doctor. Where can I get one? Can I rent it or do I have to buy it?

[surfinspacegirl]

Dion, don't forget to take a bunch of calcium (2 x 500mg/day) with vitamin D. It'll help the bone heal quicker. Multivit wouldn't hurt either. Heal up :D

[BlueDevil]

got my bone machine......cant believe it was 4K. thank gawd for insurance....


anyway after a long road and a trip to the ER im finally getting a handle on this thing. board as hell at home for 5 weeks but not complaining..... the swelling has finnally decided to go down and now i can see the plate through the skin....lumpy but a nice smooth thin scar...... glued it instead of stitches.....

anyway, im on the bone machine and taking plenty of Calcium.......lets hope this works this time......

[BlueDevil]

btw thanks Colin (Batman) 4 helping the cripple winterize the bike......

[BATMAN]

btw thanks Colin (Batman) 4 helping the cripple winterize the bike......

You're welcome man. Let me know if you need anything else.

[BlueDevil]

well that reminds me...... where r my strippers man ? hahaha

Ill be putting a recent pic up soon now that the wound has healed.........

i feel like i want to start moving it but Dr say not yet.......

[BlueDevil]

Here is an updated pic. Finally got all the swelling to go down. Still a bit of pain but the Dr visit is Fri to get more Xrays and see how the progress is going.

[Hoopty]

You are one sexy bitch, D. ;)

[BlueDevil]

Wel lgot the bike out for the first time yesterday since the knife. Since its been 6 weeks since I started it I had to push start it. Ahh yes since Im not allowed to push or pull more than 5 lbs, I had to use my left hand on clutch and my chest against the tank and run down the street llike a tard. None the less after a half hour of pushing she started up. After lettin it warm up a bit I rode around the street for a few minutes. With all the weight on my left arm of course. WOW felt so nice. I guess its different when U choos enot to ride and U arent able to ride.

None the less Im paying for it today. Ugggggg. Ice pack will be my friend today. :cry:

[BATMAN]

Crazy bastard ;)

[BlueDevil]

haha. Well I had to get her started up a bit.... Been a few weeks. :D

I was finally able yesterday to get my arm raised over my head. On my own that is. Amazing but the collar bone isnt what hurts, when U raise U R arm...Its all those shrunken tight muscles in your arm.

[Kim-n-Dean]

haha. Well I had to get her started up a bit.... Been a few weeks. :D

What took ya so long!!!


I was finally able yesterday to get my arm raised over my head. On my own that is. Amazing but the collar bone isnt what hurts, when U raise U R arm...Its all those shrunken tight muscles in your arm.

That's a trip! I've been able to raise mine the whole time. Actually, I've had full range of movement since the day of surgery. I guess there's a benefit to being skinny and having no muscles.

It's been two weeks for me and I was going to ride yesterday, but Kim put a stop to that...

[BlueDevil]

Keep rubbin it in Bastid!!! :321:

[Kim-n-Dean]

Keep rubbin it in Bastid!!! :321:

So, you'd have been really pissed when I knocked on your door. The ride I was going to take was to your house. :D

[Kim-n-Dean]

How's this for range of motion...

BTW - my face is blurred so you PhotoShop experts don't have anything to do. Well, now you'll probably just fill in the blank space... Oh well!!!

http://home.comcast.net/~tk4480/CSC/reach.jpg

[BlueDevil]

Dude R U supposed to be doing that? If the bones havent joined yet, they can shift.... Mine did the first day aftger surgery.... Thats freekish with out having surgery. And yeah it pisses me off big time..... :lol:

I been babying mone cause I really want it joined and strong again. Last visit it was still broken clean through. Man I hate U!! haha


Im happy the pain isnt killing U. From time to time, mine aches big time.

It would have been quite a long ride to get to my house from yours. U may have needed a ride back home...haha

[Kim-n-Dean]

Dude R U supposed to be doing that? If the bones havent joined yet, they can shift.... Mine did the first day aftger surgery.... Thats freekish with out having surgery. And yeah it pisses me off big time..... :lol:

I last saw my Dr. on the 16th and when he checked my range of motion he freaked out, big time! He couldn't believe how far I could move it, even if I hadn't had surgery. I've always been real flexible. I figure that's why I've never (until now) had a broken bone.

[BlueDevil]

Does the Xray show them joined yet?

[Kim-n-Dean]

Does the Xray show them joined yet?

Nope, the last x-ray on the 16th was 9 days after surgery. I go again in a month. The plate will hold the bone ends as if they were joined. However, if I stress the plate too much, it can snap. They say it's rare but, it does happen.

I've got 6 screws. 5 for the plate and one lag screw to hold the bones together so they could installed the plate. What's yours?

[BlueDevil]

I also have 6 screws. All of them are through the plate though...not sure about the "lag" screw...Dont think I have that........... The plate looks like an errector set piece. About the size of a popcicle stick with holes evenly spread down it. Its a bit less than 4 Inches Id say......

[Kim-n-Dean]

Well, thanks to Dion, I just took the pocket bike out. Did a few stoppies. That didn't quite do it so, I broke out the R1. Damn it felt good to ride that thing. Can't wait to be completely healed!!! Is it race season yet?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[FZRguy]

Ha, pansies...I’ve got 8 screws. Since you both are doing so well, which one of you is going to come over and help me bump start my bike? :D

[BlueDevil]

Keep it up Dean :321: haha I over did it yesterday. hurtin like hell today. I dont know if its cause mine started out so bad or what but it seems to be taking longer than I thought. U had to go a step further and rub in the pocket bike too... :lol: I had mine all of 3 days before I high sided it and broke the swing arm...... haha

FZR: Well Ill have to pass this time.... I pushed mine around on Friday for a half hour and spent most of Sat paying for that decicion...... Dean seems to be the bionic man...better get him over there. :lol:

[Kim-n-Dean]

Ha, pansies...I’ve got 8 screws. Since you both are doing so well, which one of you is going to come over and help me bump start my bike? :D

I'll help ya. Except, what I'm going to do is hook up jumper cables. Let me know.

[Stuart Little]

FZR seeing as how I have perfectly good collar-bones :) I will help ya bump start the bike (dean's tryin to get the easy way out)

[FZRguy]

Might take ya up on that Stu. It almost starts on first try with a new charge on the battery. I think it might be time for a carb kit anyway.

Dean/Dion, what does your doc say about getting the hardware taken out after the bone heals?

[Kim-n-Dean]

Might take ya up on that Stu. It almost starts on first try with a new charge on the battery. I think it might be time for a carb kit anyway.

Dean/Dion, what does your doc say about getting the hardware taken out after the bone heals?

If it doesn't bother you, leave it in. I'm going to have mine removed. My 55lb. winter pack will cause problems from the strap weighing on my shoulder. I also sometimes wear a chest harness when I'm on long climbs. The chest harness helps keep you upright in a fall but, I use it so I can carry more pro.

[BlueDevil]

Yep mine said same thing. They leave it in unless it causes pain or limits motion. Or there is a good possibility it may be broken again. However, Im advised they usually wont take it out till after a year of being in.. Suppose that depends on the Doc....

Ill leave mine in most likely. Mine is close to my neck so a back back wont sit on it.........

[BlueDevil]

How is the arm Dean? Mine = not so good. Almost 8 weeks and still not joind back together. Ugggg!!!

Motion is getting better, and pain is getting better..... But yesterday they ends of the bone rubbed together.... Man that sound is terrible...

[FZRguy]

He’s prolly out riding. :roll: Saw my doc on Wednesday and the x-rays look good. Problem is I still don’t have full range of motion and the hardware is already starting to bother me. So I reckon I’ll have it taken out...but when? Minimum of six months puts me into April and riding season. So I’ll have to put up with it til next winter, which is a drag.

[BlueDevil]

Im told most docs wont let U take it out till 18 months any way.....

I wont be taking mine out....I hope.

Im glad URs is getting better though........ I have my fingers crossed and Im doing exactly what the Dr says.

[Buddau]

Don't you guys drink enough milk? :lol:

[BlueDevil]

:lol:

I have taken over 40,000 mg since my surgery.

[Hoopty]

That is a lot of perkoset, BD! :D

[BlueDevil]

:lol: I wish. Ran out of that long ago.

[Kim-n-Dean]

How is the arm Dean? Mine = not so good. Almost 8 weeks and still not joind back together. Ugggg!!!

Motion is getting better, and pain is getting better..... But yesterday they ends of the bone rubbed together.... Man that sound is terrible...

Hand is still a little numb. Had a couple shots of voltage go down the arm where the bone ends might have rubbed. I'm hoping it's just tension on the screws, though. Put Kim's bike back together Saturday and did the Toy Run Sunday. Kim got x-rayed today and things look great. I go on the 14th. I'm gonna borrow Chad's bone machine, too.

[Hoopty]

I'm gonna borrow Chad's bone machine, too.

I'm not even going to go there!!! :gay:

[Kim-n-Dean]

I'm gonna borrow Chad's bone machine, too.

I'm not even going to go there!!! :gay:

Yeah, when I typed out the real name "bone stimulator" I was like, oh shit!!! I'll never hear the end of this!!! I should have just called it "machine". Well, at least , we know what Hoopty's always thinking about...

[Hoopty]

Why Dean, whatever do you mean? :hump:

[BlueDevil]

:D Well "the machine" hasnt done much for me in the 2 months I been on it. They did tell me it may take a very long time, but I think its just my luck! Starting to get very frustrated. For 4K U would think that machine would have a lot more to it. When I broke it, the ER acted like it was no biggie and even told me that usually if a broken collar bone is in the same body somewhere, it will heal. BS!!!!! I cant even get mine to heal when screwed together. :cry:

[RSVR4aCowboy]

Mine is not feeling quite right so I have an appointment this week to have it x-rayed. Thought I had lucked out but since I have been exercising with weights, I've noticed some movement in the collarbone area that doesn't feel right. :x

[BlueDevil]

I thought your collar bone didnt break? Oh oh wait did it break near your outside of the shoulder? Sorry to hear that man..... I know how it is.

[FZRguy]

broken bones rock :slap:

[BlueDevil]

FOr sure. I broke my Femur in 5 pieces and it healed so much easier than this did. Even with learning how to walk all over again it caused less hassle than a freekin collar bone. I wish U could just have it taken out like an appendix or something. haha

[Kim-n-Dean]

...it caused less hassle than a freekin collar bone. I wish U could just have it taken out like an appendix or something. haha

That's what I was starting to think...

I had another x-ray today. They said that it is healing and should be pretty much healed in another month. I've hardly used the Exogen maching ( :321: Hoopty) and been screwin' up on my vitamins too. I was very happy to see some change on the x-ray.

Dion - You'll get there too. Yours is just in a bad spot...

[BlueDevil]

Bastid.

My range of motion is back but I have no strength. I have done all the doc has said word for word...... Still not healed. Im due for a trip to the Dr but I can still feel it moving in there so I know he wont have anything more to tell me other than give me your co pay and see U in another month.. haha Ill be glad when this is over.

Im happy for you though. I know how much time this injury takes out of your life. Im glad Kims seems to be doing well to......

[Kim-n-Dean]

Im due for a trip to the Dr but I can still feel it moving in there so I know he wont have anything more to tell me other than give me your co pay and see U in another month...

Co-pay??? I'm still on "follow-up" and don't have to pay anything. If you're still seeing the same doc for the same injury it should all be "follow-up" treatments.

[BlueDevil]

My insurance has a 30.00 co pay per visit to Specialist doc's

[Kim-n-Dean]

My insurance has a 30.00 co pay per visit to Specialist doc's

Ah... Mine only charges a co-pay for the initial visit. My shoulder is coverd 'til February 8th.

[RSVR4aCowboy]

My fracture is still separated, though it looks like it's trying to heal. The way it juts up makes me wonder how it will heal. You can see a half inch of new collarbone growing toward the other side of fracture but it is still 1/4" from being closed. Doc prescribed Fosamax. One pill a week... said it was VooDoo medicine :lol: He wants to wait till mid January to recheck it. Had to have a MRI on my other shoulder so he said if he has to do one, he'll do both at the same time. :x

[Devil954]

Hey Mike what is this fosamax . My arms still get kind of sore at times not sure if they healed correctly or they are not completely healed or if the soreness is just normal and the way its going to be from now on .

[RSVR4aCowboy]

Fosamax is for osteoporisis. He said he has had some luck using it for aiding the healing of bone fractures. Worth a try.

[BlueDevil]

I think Ill ask about it when I go. Couldnt hurt. ble to lift it on my own and do minimal tasks. But I still feel the rubbing in there from time to time. Went for a ride yesterday though. Felt so good. Had to settle down to a nice ice pack afterwards though. haha

[BlueDevil]

Update:


Just had most likely my last doctor appointment. We officially have a non union. The collar bone is not only still broken, but at this point will most liklely never join together. Had a bone graph, plate, and 6 screws put in there..... Still no luck I guess its rare that it doesnt heel after the Surgery but mine seems to be the minority. Now I wish I wouldnt have bothered to have the surgery. It was broke before but at least the pain was all gone and I could do anything I wanted. Now it still hurts like hell. What can you do? At least I know for sure andf I can get back to life. Time to get on the track

[Lel]

dammmn OUCH.. time to have them just go in and use some 5 dollar epoxy from home depot!

lel

[Hoopty]

Sorry to hear about that, D. :|

[Anonymous]

:|


Now get that knee down Sissy!! 8)

[BlueDevil]

No doubt! :lol: I rode for 4 hours on Fri (Street riding) Had 2 days of paying for it though. Feels pretty good now. Think Im just gonna have to break it in (no pun intended) slowly.

Thinking about some PMI or CDR in the near future..........

[ebazyl]

With CDR, you might be breaking it in preaty quickly.

Hope you feel better, and kick some serious ass next season.

[BlueDevil]

Not to complain but I also had this huge bruise on my side for approx 6 months. After the bruising is gone I noticed a lump on my side. Went to the Doc. Says maybe a hematoma from the bruising. OR possibly a lypoma.... Hardning of the fat cells...... (Dont call me fat Im sensitive) :( Anyway, no threat at this time but should it grow any larger....... back under the knife. Damn dirt bikes :cussing:

[FZRguy]

Sorry to hear that Dion. Speaking of knives, I’m having my hardware removed next week on the 16th. I’m real comfortable with the unbolting part...it’s the cutting part that I’m not too thrilled about.

[BlueDevil]

Thats great news man. I get to keep mine forever now...... Post up after U R done and let me know how things went... And how U thought the process was vs when it was put in....

The down side of this whole situation now is that I have to now have doubt forever. Can just throw the same ole weight on the bench and go at it..... It now has little to do with my own strength and more to do with how much can the plate and screws hold with out snapping. I really do wish I would have left it broken. At least I was racing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, lifting, etc........ Ohwell valuable lesson learned for the bargin price of $36,000 (well my co pay of that anyway :lol: )


Good luck on your surgery......

[FZRguy]

The removal is supposed to be a snap compared to my first surgery...just a flesh wound for the most part. It still requires general anesthesia tho. Dean is gonna watch and take some pics. We’ll post ‘em up.

[BlueDevil]

hell yeah!!!


Good news. I built a dog run this weekend. All the swinging of the sledge hammer and carrying gravel worked my muscles pretty well. Couldnt move very well on Sunday, but after the soreness went away, the muscles are loose and in less pain than I have been in in a long time. Havent really used those muslces in months. I feel pretty confident I can hit the track now :P

[Wolf-R1]

Hey Dion,

Sorry to hear that your shoulder is giving you trouble. What a pain in the ass...err...shoulder :(

At least you're able to get out and stay mobile. Keep working on the muscles and I'm sure you'll have a lot more confidence in the shoulder with time. :)

Paul

[BlueDevil]

I must be bad luck. Just after I get healed up, the dog tears up his knee playing with the new pup. He had to have TPLO surgery yesterday. Ugggggg He even had to 1 up me. He got a plate and 7 screws. I only got 6 screws. :(

So there went my tire buget for this season. Didnt make it on the air fence crew either..... Guess Ill be part time racing again this year. :cry:

[Anonymous]

Sorry to hear that, Dion. :(

[FZRguy]

Sorry about your doggy, Dion. Dean wasn’t allowed to watch but still got some good pics:


http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?showSlide=true&Uc=etnik2u.j25gl7q&Uy=-7ocng3&Ux=0

[Wolf-R1]

:(

Bummer...sorry to hear about that.